2026-27 Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant

Funding Description

The Federal Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) is a discretionary grant program administered by the Charter Schools Division. PCSGP applications are reviewed by peer evaluators and awarded to school developers to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established/conversion/expanding charter schools. PCSGP applicants must be a non-profit entity or Local Education Agency at the time of application submission. Individuals and for-profit entities will not meet eligibility requirements.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants	Local educational agencies, nonprofit organizations
Required Eligibility Criteria	A newly established or conversion classroom-based charter school may be eligible for a Planning/Implementation/Replication subgrant provided that the school did not begin serving students prior to July 1, 2024. An established charter school may be eligible for an Expansion subgrant.
Other Eligibility Considerations	A developer, as defined by Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) section 4310(5), must have an approved charter petition from an authorized public chartering authority by the due date of the Request for Applications (RFA). If the charter school has an approved charter petition, but is not yet serving students, the applicant must include proof of charter petition approval as part of the PCSGP application. All applicants must submit proof the applicant has notified the authorizer of their intent to apply for PCSGP start-up subgrant funds.
Eligible Grade Level(s)	K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Eligible Age Level(s)	Not applicable

Funding

Legal Authority	Authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 United States Code [U.S.C.] 7221-7221j).
Source / Type	State, Federal / Grant
State Fiscal Year	2026-27
SACS Resource / Revenue Codes	4610 / 8290
Total Available	$33,666,515
Recipient Amount	$250,000 - $1,900,000
Match Requirement	No
Allocation Formula	There are three PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants offered through this RFA: New School (Planning and Implementation), Replication, and Expansion. The base funding levels vary according to subgrant type and the proposed instructional type, based on the percentage of classroom-based instructional time required at a physical schoolsite. In addition, the approved 2024 CSP award provides for supplemental funding for applicants that meet specified criteria, which may further support charter school start-up funding needs. The maximum PCSGP subgrant award is $1,900,000, inclusive of both base and eligible supplemental funding, over a 36-month performance period.

Important Dates

Date Application Available	June 12, 2026
Due Date	August 14, 2026
Expected Notification Date	October 21, 2026

Additional Information

Application	Unavailable
Background	Public Charter Schools Grant Program [http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ch/pcsgp.asp]
Fiscal	PCSGP Start-Up Subgrant Use of Funds [http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ch/pcsgpuseoffunds.asp]
Other	Submission of the Intent to Apply Form by email to PCSGP@cde.ca.gov is recommended by July 20, 2026.

Contacts

Program	PCSGP@cde.ca.gov, 916-322-6029, PCSGP@cde.ca.gov
Fiscal	Tamie Thompson, 916-319-0293, tthompson@cde.ca.gov
Division	Charter School Division, 916-322-6029